University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
7-8,3-4Big Ten
Michigan
3-13,1-6Big Ten
Golden Gophers Earn Season Sweep with Win Over Michigan
10/11/2023 8:52:00 PM | Volleyball
Lydia Grote paced the team with 11 kills
ANN ARBOR, Mich. --The Minnesota volleyball team took care of business in three sets (26-24, 25-11, 25-16) to beat the Michigan Wolverines Wednesday on the road at Crisler Center.
The victory was Minnesota's second of the season over Michigan and it moved the Golden Gophers' record to 7-8 overall and 3-4 in Big Ten play. It also snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Golden Gophers were led by a double-double from Taylor Landfair, who registered 10 kills and 12 digs on the evening. Lydia Grote also added 11 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Kylie Murr chipped in with 12 digs while Arica Davis had five blocks.
As a team, Minnesota hit .387 (season-high) with 44 kills, 41 digs, eight blocks and five aces. Michigan hit .103 with 30 kills, 30 digs, three blocks and six aces.
Kendall Murray led Michigan with seven kills.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Golden Gophers endured a back-and-forth first set to win 26-24 in a frame that featured six lead changes and was tied 13 times. Neither team led by more than three points in the match. got a solid defensive performance from a front row that blocked six Michigan attacks in the stanza.
SET 2 | Minnesota won the second set 25-11 to promptly grab a 2-0 lead. The Golden Gophers led from the first point on in the set to earn the victory. Minnesota opened its biggest lead of the set, at 14 points, to finish off the set, totaling 18 kills while only committing two attack errors in the process. The Golden Gophers hit .457 over the course of a set where they racked up 18 kills.
SET 3 | Minnesota closed the match in a 3-0 sweep after taking set three. The Golden Gophers scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-16 victory. Minnesota ended on a high note, claiming its biggest lead, nine points, to finish off the set, totaling 16 kills while only notching two attack errors along the way.
Game Notes
» Minnesota earned their fourth straight sweep over Michigan and 12th victory in the last 13 matches over the Wolverines.
» Minnesota had three players in double figures in kills (Grote, Landfair, Wucherer).
» Minnesota had three players in double figures in digs (Landfair, Murr, Shaffmaster).
» Taylor Landfair registered a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, her third double double of the year.
» Minnesota never trailed on the way to winning the second set 25-11.
» Minnesota never trailed on the way to winning the third set 25-16.
» Lydia Grote had a match-high 11 kills for Minnesota, her fourth straight double digit kill match.
» Minnesota attackers were helped by a match-high 33 assists from Melani Shaffmaster.
Up Next
Minnesota hosts Northwestern on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m. B1G+ will stream the match.
